Fluid motor pressure cylinder mounting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for selectively mounting fluid motor pressure cylinders on supporting surfaces in at least three different ways. The apparatus comprises at least two novel mounting brackets each of which includes a support flange and a leg flange extending at right angles from one edge of the support flange. Four brackets are secured in pairs to both ends of the cylinder and extend laterally of the cylinder for the foot mounting position. A pair of brackets is secured along a common axis at one end of the cylinder and also extends laterally of the cylinder for the pivot mounting position. The head flange mounting position allows the cylinders to be mounted in a cantilevered position from one end thereof and utilizes two brackets secured along a common axis at one end of the cylinder and extending longitudinally of the cylinder. In the latter position, an end portion of the cylinder is received and secured in recesses formed in the leg flanges whereby two cylinder support points are provided and spaced a predetermined distance apart.

United States Patent [191 Cornair Jan. 15, 1974 1 1 FLUID MOTOR PRESSURECYLINDER [73] Assignee: International Basic Economy Corporation, NewYork, NY.

22 Filed: May 15, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 253,169

[52] US. Cl. 92/161, 248/14 [51] Int. Cl F0lb 29/00 [58] Field of Search92/161, 146, 147,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,673,130 3/1954 Becker92/161 2,798,688 7/1957 Affleck 92/161 2,976,844 3/1961 Goldring 92/1613,038,448 6/1962 Corwin 92/161 3,153,988 10/1964 Warstler 92/1613,168,014 2/1965 Aslan 92/161 Primary Examiner-Paul E. MasloluskyAttorney-Peter P. Price et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for selectively mounting fluid motor pressurecylinders on supporting surfaces in at least three different ways. Theapparatus comprises at least two novel mounting brackets each of whichincludes a support flange and a leg flange extending at right anglesfrom one edge of the support flange. Four brackets are secured in pairsto both ends of the cylinder and extend laterally of the cylinder forthe foot mounting position. A pair of brackets is secured along a commonaxis at one end of the cylinder and also extends laterally of thecylinder for the pivot mounting position. The head flange mountingposition allows the cylinders to be mounted in a cantilevered positionfrom one end thereof and utilizes two brackets secured along a commonaxis at one end of the cylinder and extending longitudinally of thecylinder. In the latter position, an end portion of the cylinder isreceived and secured in recesses formed in the leg flanges whereby twocylinder support points are provided and spaced a predetermined distanceapart.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures COMMU/V SECUR/IVG Am 50 PAIEME JAN] 51914SHEET 2 0F 2 COMMON SECUK/A G FLUID MOTOR PRESSURE CYLINDER MOUNTINGAPPARATUS This invention relates to a fluid motor cylinder mountingapparatus and, more particularly, to a bracket which may be used onpneumatic and hydraulic pressure cylinders and the like which issusceptible of mounting such cylinders on a supporting surface orsurfaces in at least three different ways.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, many types of apparatuses havebeen used for mounting fluid motor cylinders including hydraulic andpneumatic pressure cylinders and the like, on supporting surfaces. Theseapparatuses have included brackets having legs and other similarappliances which could be used to mount a fluid motor cylinder in oneposition on a supporting surface. However, the prior brackets were notadaptable for mounting cylinders in many varied positions, and requiredthe substitution of another type bracket when the mounting positionrequired a change. Especially when a particular application required themounting of a fluid motor cylinder on its end or in a cantileveredposition from a supporting surface, the prior brackets had to bereplaced with heavier, bulkier, more rigid supports which couldwithstand the forces imposed by the cantilevered or end mounting. Thesubstitution of these other brackets not only required time, but alsogenerally required a great deal more space due to their requisiteincrease in strength and rigidity and, thus, the bulk of the mountingbracket. Consequently, the prior known fluid motor cylinder mountingbrackets were not economical and required frequent substitution of otherbrackets for the accommodation of several varied mounting positions.

Therefore, there was no available fluid motor cylinder mountingapparatus which could be utilized to accommodate several differentcylinder mountings from only one apparatus mounting position which wouldbe strong and rigid enough to support a fluid motor cylinder. in acantilevered or end type mounting, which would consume only a smallamount of space for a mounting of that type, and which would be easilyconvertible from one type of mounting to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object and feature of thepresent invention to provide a fluid motor cylinder mounting apparatuswhich is versatile for mounting a fluid motor cylinder in any one ofseveral different ways.

It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide afluid motor cylinder mounting apparatus which is versatile for severaldifferent mountings while using only one securing means which is securedto the cylinder at the same place for each mounting.

It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide afluid motor cylinder mounting apparatus which is simply constructed,strong and durable, and yet which requires little more space than thefluid motor cylinder which it supports.

These and other objects and features of the present invention may beaccomplished by providing an apparatus for mounting a fluid pressurecylinder on at least one supporting surface which apparatus includes theuse of at least two brackets of a novel and inventive design. The novelbrackets comprise a support flange and a leg flange extending at rightangles from one edge of the support flange with both flanges eachincluding at least one aperture for receiving securing meanstherethrough. The support flange is greater in length than the legflange. A recess is formed in a free edge of the extending leg flange,the recess being shaped to correspond to at least one end of thecylinder. The brackets are secured to at least one end of a fluid motorpressure cylinder at a distance less than the radius of the cylinderfrom the end of the cylinder by securing means or bolts extending alonga common axis which runs through the cylinder.

When it is desired to mount the cylinder in the cantilevered or endposition, the brackets are mounted on the cylinder with the leg flangesextending inwardly towards one another, and the support flangesextending longitudinally such that at least a portion of the cylinderend is received in the recesses. The cylinder end is also threaded andincludes a nut which is then tightened against the leg flanges. Theentire cylinder and brackets is mounted on a supporting surface by meansof securing means secured through the apertures in the leg flanges. Theresult is a rigid space-saving cantilevered or end-type mounting whichrigidly supports the fluid pressure cylinder from two points spacedalong the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

Other mountings are possible using the same brackets secured at the samepositions by pivoting the brackets such that the support flanges extendlaterally of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and either pivotallysupporting one end of the cylinder on two of the brackets or rigidlysupporting both ends of the cylinder on four of the brackets. In eitherof the latter two mounting positions, the right angled leg flanges maybe turned outwardly away from one another or inwardly towards oneanother.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome apparent from a study of the following description taken inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of thefluid motor pressure cylinder mounting bracket;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mounting bracket shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a fluid motor pressure cylinder supportedby the mounting brackets shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which brackets aredisposed in their foot mounting positions;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of a fluid motor pressure cylinder supportedby the brackets shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the leg flanges of thebrackets extending outwardly;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation similar to that shown in FIG. 4 except thatthe leg flanges of the mounting brackets are extending inwardly towardone another;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevation of the mounting brackets shownin FIGS. 1 and. 2 disposed in their head flange mounting for supportinga fluid motor pressure cylinder in a cantilevered or end-type position;and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the head flangemounting shown in FIG. 6 taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a bracket means or mounting bracketforming one embodiment of the present invention. Generally, at least twoof the mounting brackets 10 will be used together to support a fluidmotor pressure cylinder thereon in one of several different mountingpositions or mountings. As will be described more fully below, FIGS. 3through 7 reveal the several mounting positions or mountings availablewith the single type of mounting bracket 10.

The bracket means or mounting bracket 10 basically comprises a supportflange or longer leg 12 and a leg flange or shorter leg 14 extending ata right angle from one edge of the support flange 12. The support flange12 is generally triangular in shape, has a length X (FIG. 1) greaterthan the radius R (FIG. 3) of the cylinder to be supported, and includesan aperture 16 formed generally adjacent to the apex 18 of one of theangled corners of the body 12. The length X is greater than the radiusin order to allow the cylinder to be supported away from the supportingsurface when brackets 10 extend laterally of the cylinder. The legflange 14 is formed to extend perpendicularly from the plane of thesupport flange 12 from the edge 20 of the flange. The edge 20 isdirectly opposite the apex 18. The aperture 16 is bored generallyadjacent to this same apex 18 a predetermined distance A" (FIGS. 1, 6,and 7) from he shorter leg or leg flange 14.

The leg flange 14 is generally rectangular in shape, has a length L"less than the radius R of the cylinder to be supported thereby, andextends at right angles from the full length of the edge 20 oppositeapex 18. Also, the width W of leg flange or shorter leg 14 is greaterthan its length L (FIG. 2). Flange 14 includes apertures 22 boredtherethrough for receiving securing means for securing both the bracket10 and a fluid motor cylinder secured to the bracket to a supportingsurface. Additionally, leg flange 14 includes a recess 24 formed in anextremity of leg 14 and corresponding to the shape of an end meansincluded on the end of a fluid motor pressure cylinder supported bybracket 10. The extremity of leg 14 in which recess 24 is formed is, inthe preferred embodiment, the edge of leg 14 which is directly oppositethe edge of which leg 14 is joined at right angles to leg 12. In thepreferred embodiment of the mounting bracket 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the recess 24 will have a width Z (FIG. 2) greater than the length L ofleg 14 but less than twice L and will have the shape of a partial circleadapted to correspond to the circular shape of a threaded end memberextending from an extreme end of fluid motor pressure cylin der of thetype normally supported by bracket 10. The size relationship of L, R,and Z, as described above, allows a sufficient amount of a portion ofacylinder to be received in recesses 24 to insure a secure mounting,while preventing legs 14 from extending past the center line or axis ofthe cylinder when the brackets are secured to the circumference thereof,as shown in FIG. 5. Recess 24 may, of course, be formed in many othershapes without deviating from the spirit of the invention.

The bracket means or mounting bracket 10, described above, may be usedin its one preferred form to selectively mount a fluid motor pressurecylinder in at least three different mounting positions, as will bedescribed hereinafter in reference to FIGS. 3 through 7. All of theseveral different mounting positions may be obtained by securing themounting bracket 10 to the fluid motor pressure cylinder at the samepoint on the end of the cylinder and thereafter pivoting the bracketinto different positions, which positions allow the several differentmountings described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, a fluid motor pressure cylinder 30is shown supported by at least two of the brackets 10. FIG. 3 depictstwo of the three available mounting positions obtainable with mountingbracket 10, the two mountings comprising both the pivot and footmounting positions. As shown therein, fluid motor pressure cylinder 30includes a body portion 32 having a diameter D and a radius R whichterminates in an end means 34 and 36. Cylinder 30 further includes a rod38 which is moved by a piston (not shown) mounted within the cylinder 30and powered by compressed air, hydraulic fluid or oil admittedselectively on either side thereof, thereby resulting in reciprocalmovement of the rod 38. End means 34 and 36 include cylindricalextension members 40 and 42 formed coaxially with the axis of cylinder30. Extension members 40 and 42 are circular in cross section andthreaded in order to receive a head securing means or nuts 44 and 46,respectively. In the particular mounting position shown in FIG. 3,however, head securing means or nuts 44 and 46 are not used.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the foot mounting position will beunderstood. As shown therein, four of the bracket means or mountingbrackets 10 are used with the fluid motor pressure cylinder 30 to formthis particular mounting position. Two of the brackets 10 are mounted oneach end of the cylinder 30 by means of securing means or bolts 48 whichare secured in threaded holes bored in end means 34 and 36 along acommon axis from opposite sides of the cylinder. In the preferredembodiment, the common axis forms a diameter of the cylinder. However,the axis may also be formed such that it is parallel to a diameter ofthe cylinder and is offset therefrom (not shown). Thus, in the lattercase, the longer leg 12 will have a sufficient length to extend beyondthe circumference of the cylinder from the point at which it is securedon or adjacent to the cylinder. The bolts 48 are thus received inapertures 16 in brackets 10 and are coaxial with one another at each endof the cylinder 30. The foot mounting thus comprises four of thebrackets 10, two of which are mounted at each end of the cylinder 30,which brackets are used to rigidly secure and support the cylinder 30 toa supporting surface by means of securing means fastened to thesupporting surface through apertures 22 in leg flanges 14.

FIG. 3 also illustrates the pivot mounting position for the cylinder 30.The pivot mounting position includes the use of two of the brackets 10secured to either side of the cylinder 30 in end means 34. Preferably,the pivot mounting is used with the closed end of a single endedcylinder, such as cylinder 30, since rod 38 will be reciprocating out ofthe opposite end and the pivot mounting at the closed end will obviateany interference with such reciprocating action. However, both the pivotand foot mountings may be used with either single or double-endedcylinders.

The brackets 10 are secured along a common axis through cylinder 30 bybolts 48 passed through apertures l6 and secured in threaded holes boredalong the common axis in end means 34. As described above, the commonaxis may be either a diameter of the cylinder or parallel to and offsetfrom a diameter thereof. The brackets 10 may then be secured by anyconvenient securing means through apertures 22 to a supporting surface.

The brackets 10 thus support the cylinder 30 along a common axis whichpasses through end means 34 in the preferred embodiment, and allow thecylinder 30 to pivot about that axis as the rod 38 is extended orwithdrawn. The pivot mounting is useful in installations such as doorclosures and others wherein it is necessary for the cylinder 30 to pivotas the rod 38 is extended and withdrawn. The pivot mounting thusutilizes only two brackets 10 mounted coaxially with bolts 48 and oneend means 34 and does not utilize the fluid and fourth brackets used inthe foot mounting position, also illustrated by FIG. 3.

The brackets 10, when utilized with either the foot mounting or pivotmounting for cylinder 30, may be secured to cylinder 30 with the legflanges 14 extending outwardly away from one another along thesupporting surface, as shown in FIG. 4, or inwardly towards one anotheras shown in FIG. 5. The mounting of the brackets 10 with the leg flanges14 extending outwardly as shown in FIG. 4 provides a somewhat greateramount of stability for the cylinder 30 when mounted in such a fashion.However, the mounting of the brackets 10 with the leg flanges 14extending inwardly as shown in FIG. 5, provides nearly as great anamount of stability, while limiting the space utilized to mount thecylinder 30 to that of the cylinder 30 itself.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the third or head flange mountingposition will be described in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 6, acylinder 50 includes an end means 52 mounted on cylinder body 53. Endmeans 52 includes a cylindrical extension member 54 which extendscoaxially from the body 53 of cylinder 50 and is threaded to receivehead securing means or nut 44. The cylinder 50 is similar to cylinder 30in most respects except that it is double-ended and allows the rod 56 tobe extended and with-drawn from both ends of cylinder 50 by means of apiston (not shown) mounted therein. As explained above, cylinder 30 issingle-ended and allows the rod 38 to be extended and withdrawn fromonly one end of cylinder 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the end means 52 comprises an end fitting 58 whichincludes the threaded cylindrical extension member 54. End fitting 58includes a central bore 60 which allows the reciprocating rod 56 to passtherethrough. The central bore 60 is closed at the outer end by athreaded plug 62 and a sealing or packing ring 64 both of which arereceived in the outer end of threaded cylindrical extension member 54.With the double ended cylinder 50, both end fittings are similar to thatdescribed above.

The head flange mounting includes the use of two of the brackets 10secured at either end of the cylinder 50. Brackets 10 are secured bymeans of bolts or securing means 48 which are received in apertures 16of brackets 10 and threaded holes 66 and 68 bored along a common axis,which, in the preferred embodiment, pass through end fitting 58. Thebrackets 10 are mounted or secured to the end fitting 58 with thesupport flanges extending longitudinally of the cylinder axis such thatthey extend beyond the end of the cylinder of end fitting, the legflanges 14 extending inwardly towards one another, and the recesses 24contacting the end of threaded extension member 54. When the brackets 10are in this position, as shown in FIG. 7, the nut 44 may be threadedtightly against both the leg flanges 14 thereby rigidly securing theflanges 14 against the nut 44 and the end of the threaded extensionmember 54 at least partially received within recesses 24. The cylinder50 may then be mounted to a supporting surface s, shown by the phantomlines in FIGS. 6 and 7, by means of the head flange mounting includingthe two brackets 10 secured to the end means 52 of cylinder 50 asdescribed above.

As described above with the other type mountings, the common axis alongwhich holes 66 and 68 are bored is, in the preferred embodiment, adiameter of the cylinder passing through the end means. In thisembodiment, recesses 24 are formed centrally in the extremity of leg 14(see FIGS. 6 and 7). However, the common axis may also be parallel to adiameter and offset a distance from that diameter (not shown). In thislatter case, the recesses are offset an equivalent distance from thecenters of the extremities in which they are formed. Thus, in thislatter case, the recesses 24 will properly engage or receive member 54even though the brackets are secured to the end means of the cylinder adistance offset from a diameter thereof. Further, in both of theseembodiments, the distance B (FIGS. 6 and 7), Le, the distance from theedge of end fitting 58 to the common securing axis, at which the commonaxis is spaced back from the end of the cylinder (not the end of member54) is less than the radius of the cylinder. Distance A represents thedistance between the spaced support or contact points of bracket 10 withmember 54 and end fitting 58, as described below. The spacing ofdistance B allows the brackets 10 to be pivoted between all of themounting positions without encountering the edges of the cylinder.

The brackets 10 thus support the cylinder 50 by means of two spacedcontact points; the first at the end of cylindrical threaded extension54 and the second at bolts 48 received in holes 66 and 68 and endfitting 58, which contact points are separated by the distance A asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This distance corresponds to the distancebetween leg 14 and aperture 16 as mentioned above. The contact pointsthus provide sufficiently spaced support points for securely and rigidlymounting the cylinder 50 in either a cantilevered, horizontal positionfrom a vertical wall, or in a vertical end position from a horizontalsupporting surface. The distance A may be varied in proportion to thedifferent sizes of cylinders to be supported. Thus, the distance A willbe longer for a longer cylinder and vice versa. Such variation may beaccomplished, fbr example, by increasing the length of member 54 andbrackets 10, without altering the position at which the brackets aresecured to the cylinder. In any event, the distance A may bepredetermined to adequately and sufficiently support various fluidpressure cylinders.

When the double-ended cylinder 50 is utilized at the head flangemounting described above, a hole h must be provided in the supportingsurface s to allow the reciprocation of rod 56 as shown in FIGS. 6 and7. However, it will also be apparent that the head flange mounting maybe used on a single-ended cylinder of the type shown as cylinder 30 inFIG. 3, wherein the plug 62 is replaced with a closed plug and the rodis reciprocated out of the end opposite that with which the cylinder ismounted on a supporting surface. Thus, no aperture h need be provided ina supporting surface when the closed end of a single-ended cylinder 30is utilized to mount the cylinder 30 on a supporting surface by means ofthe head flange mounting of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The use of the bracket means or mounting bracket 10 to support eitherthe single-ended cylinder 30 or the double-ended cylinder 50 in the atleast three separate mounting positions, namely, the foot mounting,pivot mounting, the head flange mounting positions will now beunderstood.

The foot mounting for the cylinder 30 or 50 is obtained by mounting fourof the brackets 10 such that the legs 12 extend laterally of thecylinder with securing means or bolts 48 received through apertures 16in each of the brackets 10 and threaded holes formed in the end means orfittings 34, 36 or 52 of the cylinders. The bolts 48 are secured along acommon axis on opposite sides of the cylinder such that the cylinders inthe preferred embodiment, will be supported horizontally with thesupporting surface by means of the brackets 10. The brackets 10 are inturn secured to the supporting surface by any convenient securing meansreceived through apertures 22 in leg flanges 14. As shown in FIGS. 4 and5, the leg flanges 14 may be disposed such that they extend inwardlytowards one another or outwardly away from one another.

The pivot mounting is also shown in FIG. 3 and is a variation of thefoot mounting. The pivot mounting comprises securing two of the brackets10 with the support flanges extending laterally of the cylinder at oneend of cylinder 30 by means of bolts 48 received in threaded holesformed in the end means 34 along a common axis therethrough. The commonaxis may be either a diameter of the cylinder or offset from andparallel to such a diameter. The brackets 10 are in turn secured to asupporting surface with securing means received through apertures 22 andsupport the end means 34 of cylinder 30 pivotally along the axis ofbolts 48, which axis lies horizontal to the supporting surface in theembodiment shown in FIG. 3. The cylinder may thus pivot about the commonaxis of bolts 48 as the rod 38 is extended and withdrawn by means of thepiston within the body 32 of cylinder 30.

Finally, the head flange mounting, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is obtainedby using the same brackets 10 utilized with both the foot and pivotmountings described above by securing the brackets 10 to the end meansof either cylinder 30 or 50 with the leg flanges 14 extending inwardlytoward one another and the support flanges or legs 12 extendinglongitudinally of the cylinder. The brackets 10 are disposed on the endmeans such that the recesses 24 in the leg flanges 14 receive at least aportion of the cylindrical threaded extension member 54 therein. Thehead securing means or nut 44 is then tightened against the flanges 14to secure the brackets in the head mounting position. The bracketssecured in this position may then be used to mount the cylinder 30 or 50in a cantilevered position on a vertical wall or on the end of thecylinder on a horizontal supporting surface. The cylinder 30 or 50 isthus supported by two contacting points spaced apart by the distance A,shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one comprising the end of cylindrical extensionmember 54 and the other comprising the bolts 48 lying along the commonaxis through end means or fittings 34, 36, or 52, which axis is parallelto the supporting surface in the preferred embodiment. This distance Ais predetermined and proportional to the size of the cylinder to besupported.

It will thus be understood that the brackets 10 provide a simplydesigned and constructed fluid motor pressure cylinder mountingapparatus which may be secured in pairs to either end of a singleordoubleended pressure cylinder 30 or 50 in at least three differentmounting positions. The present, novel apparatus thus results in aneconomical bracket construction which is both strong enough and rigidenough to support the fluid cylinder horizontally with the supportingsurface in the foot mounting position, pivotally with respect to thesupporting surface in the pivot mounting position, and vertically orhorizontally from one end of the cylinder in the cantilevered or endmounting position with the head flange mounting.

While several forms of the invention have been shown and described,other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore,it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings anddescribed above, are merely for illustrative purposes, and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by theclaims which follow.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination a bracket supporting a fluid motive cylinder, saidbracket comprising an L-shaped member having two legs, one leg beingsubstantially greater in length than the other; said longer leg beingsecured to a side surface of said cylinder; said shorter leg being of awidth greater than its length and having a recess lo cated in itsextremity; said recess also having a width greater than the length ofsaid shorter leg and receiving the end of said cylinder.

2. A bracket in accordance with claim 1 wherein said longer leg has alength greater than the diameter of a cylinder to be supported thereby.

3. A bracket in accordance with claim 2 wherein said extremity includingsaid recess comprises the edge of said shorter leg which is opposite theedge on which said shorter leg is joined to said longer leg.

4. A bracket in accordance with claim 3 wherein said recess is centrallylocated in said extremity of said shorter leg.

5. A bracket in accordance with claim 4 wherein said recess has theshape of a partial circle.

6. Apparatus for mounting a fluid pressure cylinder on a supportingsurface, said apparatus comprising in combination a fluid pressurecylinder having a predetermined radius and at least two bracket means;each of said bracket means comprising an L-shaped bracket having alonger leg substantially greater in length than the other shorter leg;said shorter leg of each bracket being of a length less than the radiusof said cylinder and said longer leg of each bracket being of a lengthgreater than the radius of said cylinder; means securing said longerlegs adjacent the end of said cylinder at points spaced from one end ofsaid cylinder a distance less than said radius whereby in one positionof said brackets in which said longer legs extend laterally of the axisof said cylinder, the said longer legs extend beyond the circumferenceof said cylinder and in another position of said brackets in which saidlonger legs extend longitudinally of the axis of said cylinder, the saidlonger legs extend beyond the end of said cylinder.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said shorter leg alsoincludes a recess located in its extremity; said recess also having awidth greater than the length of said shorter leg for receiving a memberextending from the end of said cylinder.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said cylinder includes atleast one end means of which said member is a portion; said bracketseach including at least one aperture in said longer leg formed apredetermined distance from said shorter leg; said brackets beingpivotally secured to said end means by means of said securing meansinserted in said end means through said apertures along a commonsecuring axis.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said end means include headsecuring means, said brackets being mounted on said end means such thatsaid recesses receive at least a portion of said member, said headsecuring means securing said member within said recesses.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said end means comprisesat least one pressure head closing said cylinder, said head including athreaded cylindrical extension comprising said member of said end means;said head securing means comprising at least one nut received on saidextension; and said recesses have the shape of partial circles; saidextension being at least partially received in said recesses andretained therein by said nut threaded into engagement therewith; each ofsaid shorter legs also including at least one aperture for receivingsecuring means for securing said brackets and cylinder to a supportingsurface.

11. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said common securing axiscomprises a diameter of said cylinder passing through said end means;said diameter spaced back from the end of said member of said end meansa distance equal to said predetermined distance from said aperture insaid longest leg to said shorter leg; said recess being centrallylocated in said extremity.

12. Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said extremity includingsaid recess comprises the edge of said shorter leg which is opposite theedge on which said shorter leg is joined to said longer leg.

13. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said common securing axisis offset a distance from and parallel to a diameter of said cylinder;said axis spaced back from the end of said member of said end means adistance equal to said predetermined distance from said aperture in saidlongest leg to said shorter leg; said recess being offset along saidextremity a distance equal to said offset distance.

14. Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said extremity includingsaid recess comprises the edge of said shorter leg which is opposite theedge on which said shorter leg is joined to said longer leg.

15. Apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein said end means comprisesat least one pressure head closing said cylinder, said head including athreaded cylindrical extension comprising said member of said end means;said head securing means comprising at least one nut received on saidextension and said recesses have the shape of partial circles; saidextension being at least partially received in said recesses andretained therein by said nut threaded into engagement therewith; each ofsaid shorter legs also including at least one aperture for receivingsecuring means for securing said brackets and cylinder to a supportingsurface.

16. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein four of said brackets arepivotally secured to said cylinder, two brackets being mounted on eachof said end means, each pair of brackets on each of said end means beingmounted along a common securing axis comprising a diameter of saidcylinder passing through said end means.

17. The combination of two generally L-shaped brackets each having alonger and a shorter leg and a fluid pressure cylinder having an axisand an extension on one end thereof, said extension extending outwardlyfrom said end and being generally parallel with said axis; said longerlegs each being longer than the radius of said cylinder; said shorterlegs each having a length less than said radius, a recess in the freeedge thereof opposite the area of connection between said longer andshorter legs, said recess having a contour corresponding to the externalcontour of at least a portion of said extension, and means for securingsaid shorter legs to a separate surface; means for securing said legs onopposite sides of said cylinder a distance spaced inwardly from the endof said cylinder along the length of said cylinder; said distance beingless than the length of said longer legs; said shorter legs extendingtoward one another, said recesses engaging said extension along itslength generally between said shorter legs from generally opposing sidesof said extension at a distance spaced outwardly from said cylinder end.

1. In combination a bracket supporting a fluid motive cylinder, saidbracket comprising an L-shaped member having two legs, one leg beingsubstantially greater in length than the other; said longer leg beingsecured to a side surface of said cylinder; said shorter leg being of awidth greater than its length and having a recess located in itsextremity; said recess also having a width greater than the length ofsaid shorter leg and receiving the end of said cylinder.
 2. A bracket inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said longer leg has a length greaterthan the diameter of a cylinder to be supported thereby.
 3. A bracket inaccordance with claim 2 wherein said extremity including said recesscomprises the edge of said shorter leg which is opposite the edge onwhich said shorter leg is joined to said longer leg.
 4. A bracket inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said recess is centrally located in saidextremity of said shorter leg.
 5. A bracket in accordance with claim 4wherein said recess has the shape of A partial circle.
 6. Apparatus formounting a fluid pressure cylinder on a supporting surface, saidapparatus comprising in combination a fluid pressure cylinder having apredetermined radius and at least two bracket means; each of saidbracket means comprising an L-shaped bracket having a longer legsubstantially greater in length than the other shorter leg; said shorterleg of each bracket being of a length less than the radius of saidcylinder and said longer leg of each bracket being of a length greaterthan the radius of said cylinder; means securing said longer legsadjacent the end of said cylinder at points spaced from one end of saidcylinder a distance less than said radius whereby in one position ofsaid brackets in which said longer legs extend laterally of the axis ofsaid cylinder, the said longer legs extend beyond the circumference ofsaid cylinder and in another position of said brackets in which saidlonger legs extend longitudinally of the axis of said cylinder, the saidlonger legs extend beyond the end of said cylinder.
 7. Apparatus asdescribed in claim 6 wherein said shorter leg also includes a recesslocated in its extremity; said recess also having a width greater thanthe length of said shorter leg for receiving a member extending from theend of said cylinder.
 8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein saidcylinder includes at least one end means of which said member is aportion; said brackets each including at least one aperture in saidlonger leg formed a predetermined distance from said shorter leg; saidbrackets being pivotally secured to said end means by means of saidsecuring means inserted in said end means through said apertures along acommon securing axis.
 9. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein saidend means include head securing means, said brackets being mounted onsaid end means such that said recesses receive at least a portion ofsaid member, said head securing means securing said member within saidrecesses.
 10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said end meanscomprise at least one pressure head closing said cylinder, said headincluding a threaded cylindrical extension comprising said member ofsaid end means; said head securing means comprising at least one nutreceived on said extension; and said recesses have the shape of partialcircles; said extension being at least partially received in saidrecesses and retained therein by said nut threaded into engagementtherewith; each of said shorter legs also including at least oneaperture for receiving securing means for securing said brackets andcylinder to a supporting surface.
 11. Apparatus as described in claim 9wherein said common securing axis comprises a diameter of said cylinderpassing through said end means; said diameter spaced back from the endof said member of said end means a distance equal to said predetermineddistance from said aperture in said longest leg to said shorter leg;said recess being centrally located in said extremity.
 12. Apparatus asdescribed in claim 11 wherein said extremity including said recesscomprises the edge of said shorter leg which is opposite the edge onwhich said shorter leg is joined to said longer leg.
 13. Apparatus asdescribed in claim 8 wherein said common securing axis is offset adistance from and parallel to a diameter of said cylinder; said axisspaced back from the end of said member of said end means a distanceequal to said predetermined distance from said aperture in said longestleg to said shorter leg; said recess being offset along said extremity adistance equal to said offset distance.
 14. Apparatus as described inclaim 13 wherein said extremity including said recess comprises the edgeof said shorter leg which is opposite the edge on which said shorter legis joined to said longer leg.
 15. Apparatus as described in claim 14wherein said end means comprise at least one pressure head closing saidcylinder, said head including a threaded cylindrical extensioncoMprising said member of said end means; said head securing meanscomprising at least one nut received on said extension and said recesseshave the shape of partial circles; said extension being at leastpartially received in said recesses and retained therein by said nutthreaded into engagement therewith; each of said shorter legs alsoincluding at least one aperture for receiving securing means forsecuring said brackets and cylinder to a supporting surface. 16.Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein four of said brackets arepivotally secured to said cylinder, two brackets being mounted on eachof said end means, each pair of brackets on each of said end means beingmounted along a common securing axis comprising a diameter of saidcylinder passing through said end means.
 17. The combination of twogenerally L-shaped brackets each having a longer and a shorter leg and afluid pressure cylinder having an axis and an extension on one endthereof, said extension extending outwardly from said end and beinggenerally parallel with said axis; said longer legs each being longerthan the radius of said cylinder; said shorter legs each having a lengthless than said radius, a recess in the free edge thereof opposite thearea of connection between said longer and shorter legs, said recesshaving a contour corresponding to the external contour of at least aportion of said extension, and means for securing said shorter legs to aseparate surface; means for securing said legs on opposite sides of saidcylinder a distance spaced inwardly from the end of said cylinder alongthe length of said cylinder; said distance being less than the length ofsaid longer legs; said shorter legs extending toward one another, saidrecesses engaging said extension along its length generally between saidshorter legs from generally opposing sides of said extension at adistance spaced outwardly from said cylinder end.